(Newser)
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The Iowa caucuses are mere days away, so "perhaps this would be a good time to point out that the Iowa caucuses are really ridiculous," writes Gail Collins in the New York Times. They’re restricted, after all, to those willing to go to a neighborhood meeting at exactly 7pm on Jan. 3, and listen to speeches for each candidate. Republicans expect around 100,000 to show, which is about how many attend your average University of Michigan football game. "However, the Wolverines’ fans do not get free cookies," Collins points out.

Of course, not every local caucus draws a big crowd. "History suggests that in some rural districts, the entire caucus will consist of one guy named Earl," Collins continues. History also suggests that Iowa caucus-goers "are older, wealthier, and whiter than American voters in general, and more politically extreme than the average Iowa Republican." On Tuesday, those people will pick their favorite candidate. "The whole world will be watching. The cookies will be excellent."

It is a joke. Iowa is basking in their 15 minutes. January 4th can't come fast enough...........

ProbolyKnot

Dec 29, 2011 6:18 PM CST

This is one of the glaring flaws in the election system we have today. Why cant every primary be held at the same time? and why cant everybody participate in any primary? Why do some people get special say in who's the best candidate, leaving a thinning field for all the remaining states to pick from? Why does one party pick their candidate to run against the other party's candidate? Shouldn't we all be able to vote for any candidate during the primaries?